Norma Panelli Halahan was a proud and loving daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, artist, and writer. Norma, known as “Nanny” to many, passed peacefully in the early morning of Tuesday December 29th surrounded by family. Norma lived an incredibly full life inspired by stories of love and adventure and driven by faith and family. Norma was born on June 19, 1930 to Italian immigrants, Severino Panelli and Josephine Tondo, in New York City. She grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and Flushing, Queens as an only child and was a proud “Northern Italian” and American.
At the age of 20 she met Jack Halahan and they married in 1954; ultimately planting roots in Orange County. She is survived by her children, Mark Halahan and his fiancé Maria Santagata, Maureen Halahan and her husband Bill Pooley and Jean Halahan and her fiancé Richard Miller; her five grandchildren, Stephen Halahan and his wife Greta, Paul Halahan and his wife Kate, Eric Halahan and his wife Kelli, Matthew Pooley and his fiancé Catrina Clarke and Audrey Pooley Zajac and her husband Jamie; her four great grandchildren, Quinn, Jackson, Nolan and Elaina Halahan. Norma was predeceased by her husband Jack Halahan and daughter-in-law Elaine Halahan. She lived for her family and friends and loved nothing more than sharing in the successes of her children and grandchildren.
Norma was an accomplished author who’s published and unpublished works are held dear by so many. She was a gifted storyteller, publishing numerous works of fiction and non-fiction inspired by her life. Her art is proudly displayed in the homes of family and friends. Anyone who knew her was familiar with her phrase “everyone has a story.” Norma’s story will forever live on through her dried brushstrokes, her elegantly worded stories, and the hearts of all who knew her.
Funeral services will be held privately and interment will take place in the family plot in Howells Cemetery, Howells, NY.
Memorial contributions may be made in Norma’s honor to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties Inc. 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Cornelius, Dodd & Connell Funeral Home, Middletown, NY.
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